The cytotoxic and anti-depressant activity of ethanol extract of Pterospermum semisaggitatum (buch. ham.exroxb.) leaves: an in vitro and in vivo study

Abstract

This report investigates the phytochemical, cytotoxic and antidepressant property of the ethanolic extract of Pterospermum semisagittatum from South Asia region. Extracts subjected to pharmacological activity using in vitro and in vivo methods which are cytotoxic and antidepressants activity on animal model alongside its phytochemical profiling. The cytotoxic activity was investigated using brine shrimp lethality assay and antidepressant activity was determined by forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The plant extract of ethanol extract of Pterospermum semisagittatum (EEPS) was found secondary metabolites, notably steroids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids etc. EEPS showed substantial cytotoxic effects lethal concentrations (LC50) value are 347.65 μg/mL. Besides, treatment with EEPS revealed a significant reduction of immobility time in a dose-dependent manner in Force Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). The dose of 400 mg/kg, body weight shows the best antidepressant effects in both FST and TST which are respectively immobile time 198.5± 3.81**** and 157.5 ± 4.01**** statistically significant (****P < 0.0001). Subsequently, the dose of 200 mg/kg, body weight shows the best antidepressant effects in both FST and TST which are respectively immobile time 180± 3.03**** and 33.75± 2.95**** (statistically significant).The investigation concludes that EEPS can be a potent source of antidepressant and cytotoxic agents